CONTENTS

Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou stressed that there can be no
solution in Cyprus which does not conform to European principles and UN
resolutions.

The Minister advocated a wait and see approach as far as the positions
the Turkish Cypriot side outlined at Wednesdays launch of direct
negotiations for a solution, which reiterate long-standing Turkish
positions for two states in Cyprus and the maintenance of Turkeys role
as a guarantor power.

It is incomprehensible to agree to a solution of the Cyprus issue which
will not conform to European principles or which is not based on UN
resolutions, Kyprianou said, in statements before departing for talks
in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart.

Commenting on yesterdays start of direct talks between President
Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat,
Kyprianou said Cyprus and the international community believe that
problems can be resolved through dialogue.

Cypriot Commissioner for Children`s Rights Leda Koursoumba outlined the
basic areas of her priorities for 2008, which include children in care
institutions, childrens participation rights in decision taking within
the family, adoptions in Cyprus, children and the judicial system, the
public secondary education schools regulations, and children with
special needs.

Speaking at the 12th European Network of Ombudspeople for Children
(ENOC) annual conference in Dublin, Koursoumba expressed certainty that
the conference would ``greatly contribute towards the realisation of
our common vision, to make enjoyment of childrens rights a reality for
every child in our respective countries.``

Koursoumba referred to the institution of the Commissioner for
Childrens Rights of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that she was
appointed first Commissioner in August 2007 and officially assumed her
duties in February 2008. She said ``the Office is now fully operating,
though additional staff is expected to be recruited.``

She furthermore referred to her mission, which is ``to protect and
promote children`s rights,`` as well as the laws safeguarding children
and the independence of the Commissioner.